Audit Sub-Committee Chair and additional members

Job role: Audit Sub-Committee Chair and at least one additional member
Reporting to: Reporting to the Board, annually to the Council and General Assembly with support and guidance from the Finance and Business Operations team
Posted: May 2025
Closing date: 6 June 2025
Location: Remote
Term: 4 years
Compensation: Whilst voluntary, all reasonable travelling and similar expenses incurred in the course of World Sailing duties will be reimbursed in accordance with the Expenses Policy.
How to apply: Applications should be sent to legal@sailing.org. Applicants should provide a current CV and covering letter.

World Sailing is the world governing body for the sport of sailing, officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

World Sailing is responsible for:
– the promotion of the sport internationally;
– managing sailing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games;
– developing the Racing Rules of Sailing and regulations for all sailing competitions;
– the training of judges, umpires and other administrators;
– the development of the sport around the world; and
– representing sailors in all matters concerning the sport.

The principal members of World Sailing are the 145 ‘Member National Authorities’ (MNAs) and the 100+ ‘Class Associations’. Under our “Ready for the Future” strategy we have a clear and ambitious purpose: Inspire, empower and grow vibrant sailing communities around the world.

Our mission:
Develop sailing as a sport with integrity, sustainability and credibility at its heart, enabling global growth through innovation, backed by robust financial decisions to create lasting legacies for generations to come.

World Sailing is recruiting for a Chair and a member of the Audit Sub Committee of the Board (Audit Committee).

The Audit Committee meets in person at least once a year and online three or four times a year.

In accordance with the Terms of Reference the Audit Committee is responsible for:
• ensuring that appropriate financial reporting and internal control processes are in place and monitoring those processes so that that the Board is properly and regularly informed on financial matters;
• recommending to the Board the appointment, tenure and remuneration of the external auditor;
• assessing the independence of the external auditor and reviewing their annual audit plan and reports and ensuring recommendations are actioned by management;
• reviewing the draft annual financial reports for compliance with relevant laws and regulations and recommend approval to the Board;
• reviewing the effectiveness of internal controls and their application;
• reviewing the financial management;
• reviewing the risk register and risk management plan;
• reviewing the management policies and processes to ensure their suitability to achieve compliance with risk management policy, codes of conduct and any statutory and regulatory requirements; and
• monitoring insurance cover and assess their effectiveness

Strategic reporting to:

• World Sailing Board, and annually to the Council and General Assembly

Support & Guidance to:

• Finance & Business Operations Team

Essential:

• A finance, compliance or risk management professional (of an appropriate senior level) with relevant expertise and experience, preferably in a sporting context. The Chair shall be a person with at least 6 years Board/Audit Committee experience.
• Must, taken together, come from different parts of the world and reflect gender equity.
• Must be independent not be an employee, board member, president, or other officer of either World Sailing or a Member of World Sailing and does not have any close connection or relationship with a director or employee of the Federation.
• Demonstrable personal integrity to act fairly and impartially in the interests of World Sailing as a whole, using independent judgement and maintaining confidentiality as appropriate.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Desirable

• Knowledge of membership/ sports organisations.
• Knowledge of the sport of Sailing
• Fluency in another language